Style

Points of View

This book is written in third person, and some of the narrative is straightforward third-person storytelling. However, much of the book contains shifting points of view. Morris Bober will see the grocery, the Polish lady, Frank Alpine, his wife, and his daughter as the third-person narrative slowly and gently evolves around his point of view. Another time, Frank will be explaining to himself why he is stealing and how he plans to make it up. The third-person narrative reflects the duality of the thrill of stealing and the delicious misery that comes with sinning. Another time, Helen will be thinking about her prospects in life. As she rides along in the streetcar, she longs for something, some indefinable thing that will bring her to a bright and fascinating future. She receives a phone call from Nat and rejects his invitations. She takes a long soapy...